New Year - New Opportunities
Friday, January 15, 2010
I would like to wish all our friends, families and communities a very happy new year.
Maria Osman Executive Director OMI
Since commencing as Executive Director in September last year, one of my key priorities will be to increase the level of communication and engagement between OMI and our stakeholders.
The clear direction contained in the OMI Strategic Plan 2009-13, launched last year, are focusing OMI’s operations on a range of exciting new projects including
a community engagement strategy, a multicultural guide for local government, a revised online publication of the very successful Directory of Services for New Arrivals in Western Australia and cultural
competence awareness raising in the public sector. We are also reaching out to ethnic communities in regional Western Australians and supporting the development of a State Migration Strategy recently
announced by the Government.
It is OMI’s role to lead Western Australia to realise the benefits and full potential of multiculturalism. We will continue to advocate and provide policy advice to our State, Federal and
community partners in order to advance multiculturalism, remove barriers to participation and improve services to people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The team at OMI are dedicated to collaborating with the public sector, ethnic organisations and community groups and we welcome your ideas, suggestions and feedback.
On behalf of all the team at OMI, we look forward to working with you in 2010 and best wishes.
MARIA OSMAN
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Focus on the needs of humanitarian entrants
State Cabinet has approved the public release of two substantial reports detailing the significant progress made by State Government agencies in
meeting the complex and high needs of recently arrived African humanitarian entrants.
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WA Youth Awards Nominations Now Open
Friday, January 08, 2010
The WA Youth Awards showcase the talent and contributions that young people demonstrate through leadership, citizenship, caring for the environment and acting as role models.
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Harmony Week 15 - 21 March 2010 |
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Community Grants Program |
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Ethnic Youth at Risk |
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International Students Matter
It is unlawful to vilify or treat a person unfairly because of their race.
If you are an International student studying in Western Australia and have been involved in an incident that you would regard as harassment, bullying, or racially motivated
you are encouraged to report such incidents to your educational institution and the WA Police.
The WA Police Assistance Centre can be contacted on telephone 131444
Discrimination on the basis of race or religious conviction is prohibited under the Western Australian Equal Opportunity Act, 1984. The Act makes it unlawful to
discriminate against people on the grounds of sex, marital status or pregnancy, family responsibility or family status, race, religious or political conviction, impairment, age or
gender history in the areas of:
- work
- accommodation
- education
- provision of goods
- facilities and services
- access to places and vehicles
- land and
- membership of clubs
If you feel you have been discriminated against on any of the above grounds, you can lodge a complaint with the Commissioner for Equal Opportunity. Please contact
the Equal Opportunity Commission on telephone 9216 3900.
However, if you are reluctant to lodge a complaint with either of the above Agencies - the Ethnic Communities Council of WA have created a website which
can record details of an incident while maintaining your confidentiality if you wish to remain anonymous.
Please click on the link below for details
multiculturalwa.org.au
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New opportunities for Lotterywest funding
The Office of Multicultural Interests has developed new guidelines and a revised application form
for the Community Grants Program (CGP). Please click here for details.
OMI will continue funding support for community empowering projects and cross cultural events
however from 1 January 2010 ethnic community groups should apply to Lotterywest through
the Community Events and Celebrations Program for National Day or ‘one-off’ community celebrations.
Applications for Lotterywest funding must be submitted at least four months before your event.
Please contact Lotterywest on telephone 9340 5270 to discuss your proposal before you submit an application. Lotterywest grant application information
can be obtained from the Lotterywest website at http://www.lotterywest.wa.gov.au.
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The Office of Multicultural Interests has developed a series of diversity and economic snapshots for Western Australia's major birthplace groups and trading partners. The snapshots contain community, trade, demographic and consular information. |
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